awareness*action*hope: Good Samaritan Boys Soccer

We mention in many newsletters how much our boys at Good Samaritan love their soccer program. But that doesn't really convey what this program means to them because so many kids in our own communities play soccer.
Kids here have the opportunity to play at any level at any age beginning with the little 3 year olds and their tiny little ball, goals and cleats and all the cuteness wrapped up in a 3 year old...all they way up through adult leagues played on the same complex. Our kids are blessed to have many options for sports and other activities.
Soccer is BIG in Haiti. But for orphans living in a third world country, organized sports is just about unheard of. They all play in their stone, dirt, or concrete yards in their bare feet mind you...try this once and you will realize just how pampered we are and how tough they are:) For orphans, playing soccer in a uniform on a grass field with real goals just isn't an option.
For many orphans in Haiti, if they have the luxury of eating daily, they are considered lucky. For many orphans if they have a few nice outfits, this is special. If they have the luxury of leaving their home to go to school or church, they are in the minority. If they are in a home where they are treated with love and acceptance, they are blessed. Much of society in Haiti looks at orphans as unworthy, undeserving of anything. Many orphans are mistreated, abused, and taken advantage of.
AWAKENHAITI has been so graciously matched up with an orphanage owned and run by upstanding loving Haitians (Max and Margarette) and many people here in the U.S. who desire more for these special kids. Through the support of many, the children of Good Samaritan eat not only everyday, but multiple times a day, their daily needs are taken care of, they go out of their homes for school and church, they have a loving family made up of diverse situations and backgrounds where everyone is accepted and loved. They are blessed with the love and leadership Max and Margarette provide. These children are cared for by people in another country!
To add an organized soccer program to all of that for 11 boys whose families either couldn't or wouldn't take care of them is more than icing on the cake! This is an opportunity for these boys to learn team work, fun, cooperation, accomplishment and all that is learned and experienced on the field.
AWAKENHAITI has also been blessed by the director of the soccer program who allows our boys to attend at a reduced rate.
In 2014-2015 we had enough funds to send 3 boys to the soccer program. Our goal for 2015-2016 is to send 11. Cost for the program is $525 for each boy to play from October to the end of June and includes their uniform.
This past Saturday, The Carlisle Family YMCA, with the support of The Tuckey companies, and M&T Bank, ran a fundraiser to work toward our goal of $5775. Many families from this community came to play games and support our boys soccer, thank you!
We are pleased to announce we raised $867 toward our goal for October! Thank you to all of you involved in making this happen!